Mental Health: Inspiring Stories of Perseverance and Resilience

As the prevalence of mental health issues increases and affects an ever larger number of our friends and family, it becomes essential that we create spaces for folks to talk about how they overcame or persisted despite mental health challenges. Here, we’ve tried to create a safe space for people to come together and discuss their stories, experiences, triumphs and failures with managing their mental health issues.

I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for much of my life — though for a long time, I didn’t recognize it. I thought that heaviness was just how everyone felt. Everything shifted eight years ago when I moved to Zimbabwe and suddenly became a stepmother to three children. That major life transition sent me into the deepest depression I had ever known. Read More>>

Can one say that they have truly overcome mental health issues, or are they simply finding a healthy way to cope with them? When looking at a mental health issue such as suicidal thoughts, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or any other types of mental health issues it is about the team that you build. Having a support team that is 100% by your side no matter how bad you get is key to surviving day to day with mental health.  Read More>>

The entire reason I got into photography in the first place was because I used it as an outlet for my mental health! Originally, when I got my first camera in July 2023, I thought photography would just be a hobby. I just liked taking pictures every once in awhile, especially of nature, and I just wanted something other than my phone to take pictures on. But it quickly took off as something so much more than just a hobby for me, and a large part of that is BECAUSE it became a major mental health outlet. Read More>>

I am a survivor of domestic violence. The trauma I experienced during my marriage was damaging to my mental health. Being a victim of domestic violence increased my risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I had feelings of fear and isolation, which lead to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Victims and survivors of domestic violence responds differently to the trauma, experienced in abusive relationships. Read More>>

It took years of struggle for me come to this conclusion, but I believe any type of creativity block is a sign to allow yourself to live freely- to experience without the underlying intent of utilizing said experiences as fuel for your creative medium. I used to believe that being an artist is my identity and that everything I do should relate to my art somehow. But this is not the case, i’m still a person going through the journey of life. Read More>>